Giant video screens lining Malaysia's ruling-party headquarters flash towering, 40-floor images of a smiling Prime Minister Najib Razak across a corner of the capital, a glaring reminder of who's in charge.One year after a financial scandal that would have toppled many leaders, Najib is standing taller than ever after smothering investigations, outmanoeuvring opponents, and bolstering his control with a pair of recent election wins.

But the political survival steps he has taken – which include assuming tough new powers and flirting with an Islamist party – are stoking fears for multi-ethnic Malaysia's already fragile democracy and sectarian relations.

"He called himself a reformist, but has changed into an aspiring dictator," said Ambiga Sreenevasan, a prominent lawyer and reform advocate. "What changed him, clearly, is 1MDB."

Last July 2, The Wall Street Journal reported that Najib received a mysterious US$681 million payment, which capped months of allegations that billions were diverted from 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), an investment fund Najib founded. Other revelations followed, including reports that Najib's film-producer stepson used 1MDB-related funds to bankroll the Hollywood greedfest The Wolf of Wall Street, and for millions in luxury purchases. Swiss authorities say more than US$4 billion may have been stolen. Najib and 1MDB deny wrongdoing. But Najib has purged ruling-party critics, curbed investigations, and cracked down on media reporting of the affair. With former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim jailed since February 2015 on politically-tinged sodomy charges, Najib now towers over the country.

"Najib's critics failed to comprehend his resolve at staying in power and the lengths he is prepare to go to," said Ibrahim Suffian, head of Merdeka Centre, an independent polling firm.

The government recently pushed through a new law allowing a Najib-led council to suspend basic liberties if security is deemed threatened, which the opposition called a "lurch toward dictatorship". Other proposals would tighten internet controls and limit other legal protections.

"Any remnants of checks and balances are being dismantled by the PM" due to 1MDB, said Eric Paulsen, head of the legal-advocacy group Lawyers for Liberty.

Yet Najib's electoral fortunes have never looked better as general elections loom by mid-2018, aided by disarray in the once-formidable opposition following Anwar's jailing. Najib's United Malays National Organisation [UMNO] has governed since independence in 1957 on a platform of rapid economic growth and special rights for Muslim ethnic Malays, Malaysia's majority group.

Aided by its deep pockets and loyal Malay support, UMNO's Barisan Nasional [National Front] ruling coalition notched landslide wins in a May state election and two June parliamentary by-elections that exposed the limits of 1MDB outrage.

"Najib's standing among Malaysians has gradually improved over the past six months as voter anger over 1MDB and [an unpopular consumption tax] dissipate," said Suffian, adding that bread-and-butter economic issues matter more.

Najib denies abusing power and recently dismissed the graft allegations as "unprecedented politically-motivated slander" by 90-year-old former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who has led calls for Najib's removal. Najib's office did not respond to a request for comment. But Barisan Nasional's strategy director Abdul Rahman Dahlan dismissed the allegations of 1MDB-spurred repression as "absolute rubbish."

"The opposition's problem is they are unable to convince voters they are a viable alternative," he said.

"When [voters] go to the polls, it is not just about 1MDB."

In the scandal's wake, UMNO also has intensified a dalliance with the country's conservative Muslim party, refusing to denounce its proposal for harsh sharia law in a northern state.

The sharia bid has scant hope of succeeding, and analysts said UMNO is merely playing politics to solidify Muslim support and distract from 1MDB. But the Islamist tilt has unsettled many who view Malaysia's treasured religious moderation as under threat.

"I'm very worried," said Bob Broadfoot, head of Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy. "[Najib] is changing UMNO in ways that I fear could make it more Islamic and weaken the government's support among non-Malays. This is going to strain racial relations much more."

Fringe Muslim elements disgusted by 1MDB may also abandon political parties and turn to extremism, he said. A half-dozen countries including the United States have launched 1MDB-related probes, but few believe big fish will be caught, citing the carefully constructed complexity of 1MDB fund flows.

Najib "will get away with it," said Broadfoot.

But he said the allegations of fraud and embezzlement involving state-linked entities may make foreign investors think twice, at a time when Malaysia needs investment to buffer global economic headwinds.

To the Malaysian public, and my friends and colleagues in the opposition:

Even from this prison, I know that the results of the recent by-elections have disappointed many. I know the public have pinned their hopes upon the Opposition, to save Malaysia from the current oppressive, corrupt and morally bankrupt regime. Malaysia has no hope of making a better future for its people or of gaining the respect of the world under the current regime, whose prime minister is in the centre of a financial scandal of worldwide reach and implication.

The Opposition must look at this electoral outcome with humility, and take a hard look at our weaknesses. This is no time for excuses or blame.

Remember constantly that it is our moral duty to provide a genuine alternative to the people. Put aside all differences, put aside internecine quarrels. Bring up grievances in the proper forum; sit together and resolve matters.

Only the welfare of the rakyat and the country matters; and we exist to serve the Rakyat. We must defeat the BN in the 14th GE, we must come through for the sake of Malaysia!

Those who now think that this can’t be done in the next GE, are wrong. But to do so, we must all pull together. It is not an easy task; we face the entrenched power and undemocratic tactics of the BN. But we have a noble cause, they merely cling to power for powers sake. If we stand united and determined for the sake of the Rakyat, we will prevail.

Ahad, 12 Jun 2016

Today marks day 489 of Anwar Ibrahim in prison. In May 2016 the trend of gross abuse of power by the Malaysian government continues while Anwar remains languished in prison for daring to fight for a change.

Suppression continues

The Malaysian authorities continue its crackdown on dissent. The Malaysian police are targeting billboards that have been erected nationwide calling for the release of Anwar. Besides removing the billboards by force, they have also proceeded to investigate key figures using the draconian The Sedition Act for erecting the billboards. Amongst those investigated for the "crime" of erecting the billboards is the current Chief Minister of Selangor Dato Seri Azmin Ali.

Besides that the police are also investigating Nurul Izzah Anwar and Nurul Nuha Anwar, Anwar's daughter and other party leaders for participating in a peaceful rally outside the Sg Buloh prison in conjunction with 1-year anniversary of Anwar in prison. They have been summoned by the police to have their statement recorded and are waiting to see if any official charges will be made.

The worrying trend of disregard of freedom of expression prompted Amnesty International to issue a statement late May calling "on the Malaysian government to end its blatant disregard for the right to freedom of expression and peaceful public assembly. The organisation also urges the government to take immediate steps to repeal or amend repressive laws including the Sedition Act 1948, the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 so as to bring them into line with international human rights law and standards"[i]

Cartoonist Wins International Award

Local cartoonist activist Zunar was awarded the 2016 International Editorial Cartoons Prize by the Kofi Annan Foundation in Geneva. Through his cartoons, Zunar is currently facing 9 counts on sedition and faces the possibility of 43 years in prison for courageously using his pen to question the excesses and corrupt practices of the ruling government. Among the charges was for his critic of the Federal Court decision against Anwar through his tweets and his constant usage of his cartoons to highlight many injustices including the case of Anwar.

After the award Zunar said, "Talent is not a gift, but a responsibility. It is a duty for me as a cartoonist to use the art as a weapon to fight unjust rulers. Fear and intimidation are the potent tools being used by the regime to scare the people. I believe, strokes of art can lead the people to cross the line of fear."[ii]

Health

On the 9th of May Anwar was transferred to the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital for monitoring for 5 days due to erratic and high blood pressure. He was later transferred back to prison after his blood pressure stabilizes but his health remains a concern and requires constant monitoring. This marks the 4th time that Anwar has been transferred to the hospital in recent months.

White Paper

On the 23rd of May, Anwar's legal team released a White Paper detailing the history of the Malaysian government's persecution of Anwar[iii]. Please use the report to spread the information on Anwar’s case.

Case Appeal In Court

The Malaysian Federal Court rejected an appeal by Anwar to include new evidence appeared recently. Malaysia's former national Criminal Investigation Department chief in a court appearance for another case testified that he was instructed in 1998 by the former Attorney General to fabricate evidence against Anwar. This new evidence would prove the validity Anwar's assertion that there has been a deliberate political conspiracy against him plotted by the government. Anwar has since appealed against the decision.

I end this update with a warm message from Anwar, wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is a month we reconnect to our almighty lord Allah; by renewing kinship, remembering the less fortunate through fasting and charity and self reflection.

It will be the second Ramadan away from his family for Anwar since taken to prison. Take care and till next time, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.